Hydrocarbon conversion process using molybdenum catalyst

Abstract

A hydrocarbon hydroconversion process is disclosed which comprises: combining the chargestock and a minor, effective amount of at least one molybdenum compound prepared by a method which comprises interacting molybdenum metal with at least one peroxy compound in the presence of at least one saturated alcohol having from one to four carbon atoms per molecule to solubilize at least a portion of the molybdenum metal; contacting the molybdenum compound within the chargestock in the presence of a gas selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen-containing gas, a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas, and a gas comprising hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide, at conditions to produce a solid catalyst within the chargestock capable of promoting the hydroconversion of at least a portion of the chargestock; contacting the chargestock containing the catalyst with hydrogen under hydroconversion conditions to hydroconvert at least a portion of the chargestock; and recovering a hydroconverted hydrocarbon product.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A process for hydroconverting a hydrocarbon chargestock comprising: (a) combining said chargestock and a minor, effective amount of at least one molybdenum compound prepared by a method which comprises interacting molybdenum metal with at least one peroxy compound in the presence of at least one saturated alcohol having from one to four carbon atoms per molecule to solubilize at least a portion of the molybdenum metal;   (b) contacting said molybdenum compound within said chargestock in the presence of a gas selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen-containing gas, a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas, and a gas comprising hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide, at conditions to produce a solid catalyst within said chargestock capable of promoting the hydroconversion of at least a portion of said chargestock;   (c) contacting said chargestock containing said catalyst with hydrogen hydroconversion conditions to hydroconvert at least a portion of said chargestock; and   (d) recovering a hydroconverted hydrocarbon product.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein said interacting occurs at a temperature within the range from about 25° C. to about 150° C. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2 wherein said molybdenum compound is combined with said chargestock in an amount of at least about 10 ppm. by weight, calculated at elemental metal, based on the hydrocarbon chargestock. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon chargestock has a Conradson carbon content of less than about 5 weight percent and said molybdenum compound is combined with said chargestock in an amount of at least about 10 ppm. by weight, calculated as elemental metal, based on the hydrocarbon chargestock. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon chargestock has a Conradson carbon content of at least about 5 weight percent and said molybdenum compound is combined with said chargestock in an amount of at least about 10 ppm. by weight, calculated as elemental metal, based on the hydrocarbon chargestock. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 4 wherein said molybdenum compound is combined with said chargestock in an amount in the range of about 10 ppm. to about 1000 ppm. by weight, calculated as elemental metal, based on the hydrocarbon chargestock. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 5 wherein said molybdenum compound is combined with said chargestock in an amount in the range of about 10 ppm. to about 1000 ppm. by weight, calculated as elemental metal, based on the hydrocarbon chargestock. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1 wherein said peroxy compound is tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, said saturated alcohol is tertiary butyl alcohol, and said interaction takes place in the presence, additionally, of at least one primary alcohol containing from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms per molecule and having at least one primary hydroxy group present in an amount sufficient to enhance the solubility of molybdenum. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1 wherein said gas of step (b) is a hydrogen-containing gas. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 1 wherein said gas of step (b) is a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 1 wherein said gas of step (b) is a gas comprising hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 1 wherein the product resulting from step (c) comprises a hydroconverted oil containing catalytic solids, the additional steps which comprise separating at least a portion of said catalytic solids from said hydroconverted oil and recycling at least a portion of said catalytic solids to step (a) or to step (c). 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydroconversion conditions include a temperature ranging from about 343° C. to about 538° C. (650° F. to 1000° F.) and a hydrogen partial pressure ranging from about 500 to about 5000 psig. 
     
     
       14. The process of claim 1 wherein said hydroconversion comprises hydrocracking. 
     
     
       15. The process of claim 5 wherein said hydroconversion comprises hydrocracking. 
     
     
       16. The process of claim 14 wherein said hydrocracking conditions include a temperature ranging from about 700° F., to 1000° F., and a total pressure ranging from about 500 to about 5000 psig. 
     
     
       17. The process of claim 15 wherein said hydrocracking conditions include a temperature ranging from about 700° F., to 1000° F., and a total pressure ranging from about 500 to about 5000 psig.